Prognostic significance of the ratio of absolute neutrophil count to absolute lymphocyte count in classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic effect of the absolute neutrophil count/absolute lymphocyte count ratio (ANC/ALC ratio) in patients with classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). We performed a retrospective analysis of 312 patients with cHL. Univariate analysis revealed that a high ANC/ALC ratio (≥4.3) correlated with poor overall survival (OS) (P < .001). Subgroup analysis of advanced-stage disease showed that the ANC/ALC ratio was significant for OS (P = .032). Multivariate analysis revealed the ANC/ALC ratio to be an independent prognostic factor for OS (P = .048). The ANC/ALC ratio allowed further risk stratification in patients who were considered to be at low risk on the basis of an International Prognostic Score less than 4 (P = .002). The ANC/ALC ratio is a simple, inexpensive, and independent prognostic factor for OS that may improve the ability to identify high-risk patients with cHL.